I just went through the same dilemma.
I was looking to buy one really nice rifle and shoot it exclusively for hunting.
I was trying to find a left handed bolt action in 260 Remington. I also wanted something different than every other Remington and Winchester.
I originally saw the Ed Brown Damara and was delighted. I had every intention of purchasing one. While talking it over with a gun friend, he suggested I look into HS Precision. He provided a catalog and their guns looked very nice.
I still wanted the Ed Brown though. I was poised to submit my order, then I realized the SHOT Show was forthcoming. I requested another friend to do some hands on research for me. He fondled both guns at the show and asked the reps some questions for me.
Now, I can't remember exactly what was said about both guns. What I do remember is that he asked the Ed Brown rep how accurate their rifles were. The gentleman responded that they'll shoot 1"-1 1/2" at 100 yards. Now I don't know about you, but I expect a heck of a lot more for the expense.
[Straight from the Ed Brown website.
Do you have an accuracy guarantee? How accurate are your rifles?
With properly tuned handloads, a good shooter, good optics, and good conditions, our rifles are extremely accurate. In fact, our rifles are 100% as accurate as these variables allow. We consistently see our Tactical series rifles, and our Compact Varmint hunting rifles, group at 1/2" or less at 100 yards with quality factory match ammunition. Our Savanna hunting rifle will normally shoot 1/2" to 1" at 100 yards with tuned hand loads. Our Damara normally shoots 3/4" to 1 1/4" with tuned hand loads. Many bullets and cartridges, and most factory hunting ammunition, are simply not consistently capable of this type of accuracy, no matter what the gun maker does. Because of all the variables involved which are out of our control, we do not offer any written accuracy guarantee. We will guarantee that our rifles are as accurate as any maker in the world, and are much better than most. We can assure this due to the fact we make our own action in house. We don't offer a re-worked, re-cycled, re-barreled factory action. The components we do purchase from outside vendors, such as the barrels, come from only the most reliable sort we have had long relationships with. These barrels are painstakingly hand lapped, then carefully fitted and chambered on state-of-the-art equipment using only precision reamers ground to our specifications. The bottom line is our rifles will always offer 100% of the accuracy your ammunition, your optics, the conditions, and you, are capable of.]
I went back to the drawing board. Once again my other friend suggested HS. I looked carefully at their catalog and was still impressed by their work. All their guns are designed and manufactured in their factory in the USA. Their own proprietary action and barrel. They are also the worlds foremost producer of ballistic test barrels. Hell, they make take-down rifles and still guarantee accurate results!
1/2" or less 3-shot groups at 100 is their guarantee on 30 caliber or smaller. Any standard SAAMI caliber, custom length of pull, custom stock color, matte teflon coating for weather resistance. My God man, how can you go wrong?
I ordered a left-handed lightweight Sporter in .260 Remington with the Grassland camo stock. I placed a Leupold 4.5-14 on top of it and I can routinely hit soda cans at 400 yards. My best 3-shot group is a .192" using match components.
And the best part? The HS costs less than everything else.
I guess the best endorsement I can give is to say that I'd gladly give another $2,500 for a piece of art that shoots as well as this one does.
Ed
FWIW, If I plan on spending over $2,000 on a gun, the last thing I want is another dressed up Remington.
In the big picture, custom is custom...and they always go over their deadline, no matter the manufacturer.